LAURENCE STRINGER JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES IN HYDE AND SURREY

In August 2009, Laurence Joseph Stringer, a homeless man from Hyde, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison after admitting to engaging in sexual activity with a vulnerable teenage girl. The incident left the young victim so deeply traumatized that she attempted to take her own life the following day by overdosing on paracetamol.

Stringer, who was 50 years old at the time, had initially been charged with having sexual relations with a minor. Despite the serious nature of the charges, he was granted bail. Instead of awaiting trial in custody, he chose to flee the area, traveling to the South Coast where he remained on the run for two months. It was only after police tracked him down in Surrey that he was apprehended and brought back to face justice.

The court proceedings revealed that on August 15 of the previous year, Stringer lured a teenage girl, who was known to have learning difficulties, back to his tent situated near a canal towpath on the outskirts of Hyde. Earlier that evening, the girl had been drinking with friends in the town center following an argument with her family. Stringer, who was loitering nearby, learned that she was reluctant to return home and, knowing she was intoxicated, invited her to join him in his tent.

Following the encounter, the girl managed to escape from Stringer’s grasp and sought refuge outside a B&Q store, where she slept rough for the night. After returning home, she took an overdose of paracetamol and was rushed to hospital. During her treatment, she confided in police officers about the assault. A DNA analysis confirmed Stringer’s involvement, and the victim later led authorities to his hideout in the bushes.

Authorities conducted a search of Stringer’s tent on September 3, leading to his arrest. During the search, officers discovered a scrapbook containing torn magazine pictures of young teenage girls, aged approximately 13 or 14. The court heard that the victim has been plagued by nightmares related to her ordeal, highlighting the lasting psychological impact of the incident.

Stringer, who had a prior conviction for unlawful sexual intercourse, was represented by defense lawyer Neil Usher. The lawyer argued that although Stringer had a previous conviction, it was not indicative of a pattern of behavior, and he maintained that his client did not rape the girl. However, the prosecution emphasized the severity of the offense, especially given the girl’s vulnerabilities.

Judge Anthony Hammond delivered the sentence, condemning Stringer’s actions. He stated, “Force or otherwise, you had no business having intercourse with a girl of that age, and that’s the moral situation.” The judge also noted that if Stringer had been convicted of rape, the sentence would have been far more severe. He emphasized that the girl’s mental and personality issues made her particularly susceptible to exploitation and that Stringer had taken advantage of her situation.

Furthermore, Judge Hammond ordered Stringer to register as a sex offender for life. He explained that even after his release, Stringer would be required to keep police informed of his whereabouts, especially since he was a rough sleeper. The judge warned that failure to comply with these conditions would result in a lengthy prison sentence, underscoring the seriousness with which the court viewed his crimes.